Shoe-box Ministry

Had so much fun tonight... even though I was brought to tears several times by the wonderful, sweet children that are in the children's church at World Victory Church as they prepared boxes for the Shoe-box Ministry (these boxes are going straight to kids in Bolivia). These boxes were filled with simple things (things that we use daily and take for granted) such as a toothbrush/toothpaste, socks, pens/pencils, notebooks, brush/comb/ponytail holders, small car toys, yo-yo's, crayons, necklaces, balloons, etc (you get the point now- I hope anyways, lol) and topped with a sweet personal card. 
Looking at the kids as they prepared and prayed over each box for each child, just the smile on their face was enough for me. So glad that I was able to be apart of something so wonderful! Thanks toStephanie Stewart, and Miranda Derrick Griffie for putting this together (and Mrs. Andrea Williams Machen) and anybody else that I left off! Thanks to everyone that donated items! I know the children there will be so blessed and excited to open their box! ☺ ☺ 
BLESSED BLESSED BLESSED!

Thankful!

With the Holiday season coming up (very fast might I add) everyone is posting on fb how they are thankful for certain things. I am so thankful for so many things! Some of them are the things that we all (myself included take for granted from time to time). Just to name a few things that I am thankful for: my health, my precious children and my husband, their health, having a house to live in, having clothes/shoes to wear, a car to drive! Yes, I am thankful for other things as well like my family, extended family, friends, having a job, freedom, etc! But most importantly I am so thankful that Jesus loves me (and you)! He gave his life for me (and you). He loves me (and you) unconditionally!  He forgives us.He protects us He is there for us when nobody else cares, he walks with us , he talks to us, he holds us and he knows when to put his hand over my mouth- lol.
He always provides us in every way! He is my strength, He gives me wisdom!

 I feel like I am rambling now, but I am so THANKFUL that he loves me and that is ALL that matters to me!

Do you know the LOVE that I am talking about? If so, then you know exactly what I am talking about. If not, then we need to talk. The LOVE from Jesus is like NO OTHER love you will ever experience. Seriously, you don't know what you are missing! Knowing that no matter what you do HE loves you. To know that you ALWAYS have someone to talk to about anything. He has a plan for you (Jer 29:11) and if you will seek him, love him, talk to him and follow him EVERYTHING will be WELL! Knowing that no matter what comes my way I can give it to HIM and not have to stress over it- I am holding a mirror in my face right now because I do stress over things and say HE can't help me, when I should have given "it" to him to begin with and I wouldn't had any stress! I am still learning and I have a LOT to learn, but I do know that things with God are EASY!

I pray that everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving and CHRISTmas (Remember the reason for the season)!

Love you all!
Phil 4:13- my favorite scripture- well one of my favorites anyway! ☺

My God is BIGGER!

For a brief moment I was upset; for a few minutes I was mad. Then I realized IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!! I know that I lay my head down every night knowing I did what was right. I will not let you take away my memories! Jeremiah 29:11 is what I need to remember and focus on. "You" decided to change things to fit "you". Well guess what?, "You" will have to answer to those changes on your judgement day! So now all I can do is pray for you! We don't need material things to make us happy! All we need to do is praise him in everything and we will have all the happiness we need! Just so you know I do love you and I am praying for you! He strengthens me (Phil 4:13) and I will let him guide me every day. My God is good and HE is bigger than this!
The next time you want to try and pull some CRAP over one someone- find someone who doesn't know exactly how you are.Just to let you know that I will not be fighting this, there is no sense in it. Really, there is no sense in any of this CRAP! To alter legal documents and then to send a personal note that you "made up" with the name of someone else is CRAP! Did you not think we would catch on. I mean if you just read it you will see where you made your mistakes. Stupid mistakes such as mis-spelled words, using the wrong words. Things that I know they would never say.

Anyways, I am done. I am so glad that I am not a part of this chaos. I am so happy that I have a peace about all this that is like no other!
You claim to be a "Godly" woman, well let me just inform you that a "Godly" woman would not do things like this, especially without repenting! I may not understand you, or what you are doing, what you have done, or even WHY???? But that is OK, because you don't have to answer to me and I am not here to judge you! I am here to love you as I am told to do in John 13:34. With that being said, I will pray for you daily; I will pray that you will see your mistakes and repent. I pray that you will grow closer to the Lord and see they correct way you should be. I pray that you will have a Christ like mind and that your relationship with the Lord will only grow closer and healthier. In Jesus name, Amen!

Kristi

Start of school week 2

Well, week one was a sucess! Everyone was on time for school and work (Well, Jeff doesn't count). Both T & H had a great first week, they both love their teachers! Week two started today..... that means HOMEWORK! So, so far we are doing good. Praying it continues to be good!

Fall ball softball is fixing to start back and both the kids are getting ready to start back with bowling!  Excited and ready!

Well, thats all I have right now!

T & H at the beach!

Summer is over.....

What a wondeful summer we have had! The kids once again stayed with Holli Dorough and family alot this summer.... thank you very much!!!! They love the Dorough family very much and of course we do too! I know they have a good time there, lots of laughter and memories made.

We had a few trips to Spring Valley beach. Always have fun at SVB, we look forward to it each year!

We had our first "family" beach trip! (we had a weekend trip to the beach years ago, infact; Hollie was still in a pumpkin seat because she was still a small baby!) We went with Jim and his family and Gail! I have to say we had a BLAST! We LOVED IT!!!! I do have a few pictures I will post. There was something for everyone, no matter your age!  Looking forward to our next trip!

School starts next week and I am excited, maybe a little more excited then the kids, well Trenton at least! Hollie seems excited and Trenton is a little ready. (Hollie will be in 3rd grade and Trenton will be in 8th grade- time sure does fly by).

Well that is all I can think of for right now, got lots to do today before going back to work tomorrow!

Love and hugs to everyone!

Ponytail O's.....

Hollie LOVES my NEW hobby.......

Life changing

Wednesday will be 2 weeks since my life was changed instantly. I had a breast reduction. When I woke up after surgery I was so excited! Instantly..... No more back pain, no more shoulder pain, no tight neck..... I immediately felt wonderful! Stayed overnight and went home Thursday still feeling wonderful! NO PAIN from the surgery!!!!  Since then, I think we now have stock in polysporin and guaze pads, but it is worth it. Jeff (and the kids) have been fabulous and such a big help during my recovery! I have a few more weeks of light "duty" , if you will but I'm getting back into the swing of things.
Still feeling wonderful, fabulous actually. My clothes fit better!!!! :)
Now, since surgery I found a belly, yes a fat belly, so i am actively working on getting rid of it..... Didn't realize there was so much to my belly, but that's ok, its coming off.....
Well, guess that's all for now, thanks to everyone that has helped,transporting me.... GAIL ,and everyone one that brought food and etc..... Love and hugs to everyone!

Spring Break Week....

Meghan, a sweet and beautiful young lady will be taking a very exciting trip. She is one of the few "chosen" to go on an Ambassadors trip to Europe (Paris, France and Italy I think). So she is in the process of trying to earn money in different ways (fundraising, etc) to pay for the trip and have spending money. So, she has been at my house since Monday afternoon and she has kept the kids all week. I have enjoyed having her at the house and I am sure the kids did too. They love their Meg-Meg!!!  I am going to miss not having that sweet, pretty face to look at when I get home, good think I have two sweet faces to look at, uh?

We have a very busy weekend- Friday night- a friends bday party for her two youngest kids, Saturday- boot camp, Jaxson's first game, Jaxson's bday party, Hollie's practice game, Trenton's game and a team get together Saturday night. Sunday- Church, Easter Play practice.....

Sometime in there I have to bake cupcakes for Trenton's party and clean the house! WOW, Monday I am going to rest!!!!

Yummy- to some

Yesterday Jeff and Trenton decide to clean out the hall closet and add a shelf. This was great! While in the process they found an Eagle brand cook book- full of yummy desserts and such! So, Jeff went through and found several recipes that he thought would be yummy to make! Well, the first one that we made was Flan- Jeff and the kids loved it, I on the other hand, well- not so much!

Pictures!!!

Finally, go to my facebook page to see pictures from Hollie's birthday party!

Happy Birthday Hollie & Jeff

Saturday we celebrated Jeff and Hollie's birthday! Hollie had a YMCA party and we have family over at the house afterwards for Jeff. Hollie was so happy while opening her gifts. She now has a LOT of barbies and accessories. In between school, church, sleeping and softball she has enjoyed playing with her new barbies. It is hard to believe that she is now 8 years old. Time flies so fast and I am so glad that I am getting to enjoy my children and all that they do and I am so proud of who they are becoming. 

I have pictures of Hollie's party and I will post them this weekend!

Have a great rest of the week! 

Love to you all!

Well I haven't blogged in a little bit so I'm gonna make up for it now. Basketball season is over for Trenton, overall we had a good season despite a few issues. He is now running for track and I'm looking forward to a new sport!
Hollie is back in softball! It will be kinda of weird for me at the park this year since i will only have one child playing! It might be kinda nice though for a lighter schedule! Ha!!
School is going good for both the kids! Trenton seems to be over the hurdles of being in Jr. High, finally!

Well I'm working the nacho sale at the Jr high and the next class will be coming in shortly so I better hurry and get off here.  Come back this weekend though, because I'll be posting about Hollie's birthday party that is Saturday!

Almost a teenager

Trenton, who will be 13, yes I said 13, in April has started doing things with the youth group at church. His first outing with the youth was at Winter Jam Saturday night. Here is a picture of him and Drew after they got home....

I believe he had a great time, even though I was there. However, in June he will be going with the youth to the Forward conference just outside Atlanta, GA. I have not decided if I am going on that trip or not. I want to go for myself, and somewhat to be there with him during this experience, but on the other hand, I want him to have a good time without me being there. So, I am struggling and praying about that decision. I know he needs to grow up and I need to let him grow up, but that is my baby!

A new sport

So, basketball is not over yet, and we are adding a new sport.... TRACK.... to our already busy schedule. I am not exactly sure what this means or includes except that he will be running! So anyone with advice, tips or suggestions please share!

So basketball will soon end, track will continue and Hollie will start softball again. We are looking into dance/tumbling lessons for her as well!

The best son!

I dedicate this post to Trenton! I love him so much and he is growing so fast! I have seen so many changes in him over the last year or so! He is such a great big help at home and and a wonderful big brother! He may get mad at Hollie, but he doesn't stay mad at her long! He loves her and is so great with her!He is so willing to help at church as well. He has joined the media team and he loves it! He is almost to the age where is will be joining the youth (teenagers) class. He is excited about that! It will definitely be a change, however I know he is ready!

I have watched him in sports since he was 4 years old and I have seen him turn in to a great leader. He is always willing to help someone in need. He has such a big heart!

He may get mad and frustrated sometimes, but he is working on that . He has daily struggles just as we all do. School is hard. He attends first priority on Friday mornings and he is a leader at school.

I am so proud to call him my son!  I pray everyday that his has the strength, wisdom, knowledge, willpower and leadership that he needs to continue to grow and become a wonderful young man!

Here is a picture I took today at Wal-Mart.... He is letting Hollie help him push the buggie! ☺ ☺

So sweet

I love it when my kids are sweet like this. It doesn't happen as often as I would like but it does happen! ☺ Hollie fell asleep and was asleep for about 4 hours one afternoon after school when her daddy decided he wanted to wake her up... So, he tried to wake her up and brought her to the dining room where I was, she then climbed in my lap and tried to go back to sleep. Trenton came and asked for a hug from her and she attached to him and they ended up on the couch like this......

It's kinda dark and there is a glare from the flash on Jeff's foot, but I had to capture the moment and the only camera I could put my hands on quickly was my phone!

Bittersweet

So today was the first day of registration for softball/baseball. I signed Hollie up, but Trenton is now too old for park ball. He will have to try out for the school team. So this is the first year that I will not have 2 kids playing at the same time since  almost 4 years ago. Wow.... I think I will like the not so busy schedule, but I will most definitely miss seeing Trenton play!

Paw-Paw

So, at the end of October, on a Friday night I got a dreaded call..... my paw-paw was in an motor vehicle accident and was being transferred from Cullman Regional hospital to UAB here in Birmingham. The doctors stated, according to scans and images and other testing, that he had broken his neck in 2 or 3 places, had a piece of glass in his right ear drum that was making his ear swell. He had some minor bruising and cuts else where, and some other minor things. So, my mom, brother and I go to the ER at UAB and wait with my aunt (Melissa) and my paw-paw's girlfriend (Marjean). We find out, very early in the morning on Saturday, that they are going to admit him and do surgery on his neck the beginning of that week.

He got moved to a room and once he was settled, we were finally able to see him. He looked rough, which was to be expected. Melissa and Marjean stayed and we went home to rest. Later that day we visited him and he seem to be doing better. He was in a neck brace of course, but was not complaining of any neck pain. He was complaining of a headache, this was to be expected. Sunday morning I find out that he had to be restrained during the night because he supposedly became very agitated and angry and was trying to leave. Sunday afternoon while visiting him I noticed that although he was restrained he was very calm and relaxed. So they released the restraints and he remained somewhat relaxed. He was, however, a little confused; We thought this was normal and to be expected with the horrific trauma that he had just experienced. So he got moved to the down the hall to the other side of ICU where he would have round the clock watch. He was back and forth between the different ICU's on that floor for a few weeks. Then he was finally released to go home with home health and physical therapy!

Well, during all of this time at UAB, we find out that for some reason Paw-paw gave Melissa power of attorney (There is some bad history here with her----I will not go in to that). We, including her daughters, think this is a BAD idea!

After he has been home for a week or so we find out that he has fallen several times and Melissa (Who has now moved into his house to become his "caretaker") has had to call the EMT's out to pick him up because she can not do it herself.
Then he gets admitted to Cullman Regional due to a fall. He is released. This happened another time or two.... after about the second or third time of this, Cullman decides to send him to Decatur hospital psychiatric ward. (Now, he supposedly has been kicked out of the nursing home/rehab center in Hanceville due to outbursts that he had- from what I have heard from Melissa, he knocked over a worker and set off alarms trying to "escape"). He was released back home and I was told he was doing better.

Friday, January 13, 2012 I get a call that he is back in the ER because his blood sugar is in the 50's. (Now he was diagnosed -+ years ago with diabetes and has done a fabulous job of keep it under control with his diet. ) I found out today, Monday that he is being transferred back to Decatur Hospital physicatric ward. I am not sure why. I asked, "WHY?" and mom did not know. I called Melissa 5 times, yes 5 times and she did not answer and has not called me back.

Honestly, I don't feel that Melissa should have power of attorney. She can't take care of her self so how is she going to take care of someone else. It is weired that when we are they visiting with him, he seems to be ok, but when she is there with nobody else, he seems to have outburst, becomes angry and etc. Also, when maw maw passed away a few years ago, he made it VERY CLEAR to EVERYONE that nothing was to leave the house until he passed. Well, GUESS WHAT?!?!?! she has moved some of maw-maws things out of the house so she could move her things in..... Needless to say, her daughters and I are NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AT ALL!!! We all feel that they see $$$$ when they look at him.....

There is more to this story, but right now I can't think about it.
Please, Please, Please pray for my family!

Thanks

NEW......

Hi!
So, http://rammerjammers.blogspot.com/ is my previous blog address. I blogged there for a while, then I quit and started back, blah, blah.... I told myself that I would start back and NEVER did. Then my wonderful mother in law told me that she has one favor to ask of me and Jennifer, her daughter: she would like for us to update our blogs at least once a month! Well, that is an easy task to do, right? YES, and I WILL complete this task!

I have always been one to start something new and then never continue it or finish it. So it is a new year and a new me! I will continue or finish everything now!

With that being said, you should come back monthly to read about the wonderful memories that we are making!

So, go read my old blog (http://rammerjammers.blogspot.com/) so you can catch up and know what memories we have already made. (That is if you want to because you haven't already)

Until next time,
KG